Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 307, answered on February 2, 2026, addresses unfair means in competitive examinations. The Minister of Education was asked about the frequency of paper leaks and cheating incidents, details of such incidents over the past three years, and whether the government plans to enact stricter laws to address these issues, including the key provisions of the said act.
The Minister of State in the Ministry of Education (Dr. Sukanta Majumdar) responded that competitive examinations are conducted by different bodies at National & State level for recruitment as well as for admission in Educational Institutions. The Central Government has notified *The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act and Rules, 2024* to deter unfair means and promote transparency, fairness, and credibility. The Act contains stringent provisions for persons or organizations that adversely impact public examinations conducted by the Central Government and its agencies. All offences under the Act are cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable. Penalties include imprisonment up to 10 years, fines up to 1 crore rupees or more, and attachment of property in cases of organised crime. The Act aims to serve as an effective legal deterrent.
Key Entities Referenced
The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act and Rules, 2024: Act notified by the Central Government to prevent unfair means in public examinations, containing stringent provisions and penalties.
Ministry of Education: The ministry to which the question is directed and which has responsibility for educational institutions.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 307
ANSWERED ON 02.02.2026
Unfair Means in Competitive Examinations
†307. Smt. Geniben Nagaji Thakor:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that incidents of paper leaks and cheating in various competitive
examinations in the country have been reported frequently;
(b) if so, the details of such incidents during the last three years, year-wise;
(c) whether the Government proposes to enact some strict law to check such incidents; and
(d) if so, the key provisions of said Act and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a) to (d) Competitive Examinations are conducted by different bodies at National & State
Level for recruitment as well as for admission in Educational Institutions.
As a deterrence to unfair means and in order to bring greater transparency, fairness and
credibility in public examinations, the Central Government has notified The Public
Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act and Rules, 2024. The Act contains stringent
provisions to deal with unfair means used or offences committed by persons / organized groups
/ other organizations that adversely impacts public examinations conducted by Central
Government and its agencies. All offences under the Act are cognizable, non-bailable and non-
compoundable. Penal provisions include imprisonment up to 10 years, fine up to 1 crore rupees
or more, attachment of property in case of organised crime, etc. The Act serves as an effective
legal deterrent for persons, organized groups or other organisations that indulge in various
unfair means, thereby adversely impacting public examination systems.
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